East Sussex · London and the South East
Roof survey in Lower Willingdon, East Sussex
Know where you stand with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out roof surveys in Lower Willingdon.
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Debris building up in roof valleys
Roof survey in Lower Willingdon
Most houses have more than one roof to look at. Rear extensions, dormers, porches and garages frequently have flat roofs. We check them as well as the main pitched roof, looking for ponding, splits, blisters and worn upstands. A flat roof normally wears out sooner than a pitched one, so they deserve a proper look. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and GRP up to about 30. If you’ve noticed leaning or weathered chimney stacks and debris building up in roof valleys, we can find out what’s behind it, on lead flashings, the roof space and clay and concrete tiles alike.
In a smaller place like Lower Willingdon, homes range from older cottages to bungalows and newer houses. Coverings range from slate and clay tiles on older homes to concrete tiles on many later ones. Chimneys, valleys and gutters on older homes often need the most attention. Nails and battens under older coverings often give out before the slates or tiles themselves.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent.
- Place
- Lower Willingdon (BN20, BN22, BN26)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Signs you need a roof survey in Lower Willingdon
Weather is the main thing that wears a roof down. Wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and rain finds any gap it can. What starts as one slipped slate can become a leak.
Problems we come across often include:
- Leaning or weathered chimney stacks
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
The streets around a church such as St Wilfrid are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Which limits apply to the survey
What a roof survey looks like in Lower Willingdon
Lower Willingdon lies within about 4 miles of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. Whatever the covering, it is often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
If you let a flat or house near Polegate station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints. With Alfriston Clergy House about 4 miles west, the area around Lower Willingdon has a long history. On a period home nearby, the survey separates sound original work from tired later repairs.
Lower Willingdon is about 2 miles north-west of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. Wherever you are in Lower Willingdon, we can carry out roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our area takes in places right across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof surveys: BN20, BN22 and BN26. That includes homes and businesses on Freshwater Square, Willingdon Court and The Triangle. We also cover the places around Lower Willingdon: Willingdon (1 mile south-east), Wannock (1 mile north-west), Polegate (1 mile north), Filching (1 mile west) and Folkington (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Hastings (14 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (10 miles east), Seaford (7 miles west), Lewes (12 miles north-west), Hailsham (4 miles north) and St Leonards (14 miles east).
Landmarks near Lower Willingdon
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Wheatsheaf Inn and Willingdon Community School, among other places. Lower Willingdon’s nearest station is Polegate station, about 0.9 miles north. Nearby you’ll also find Burlough Castle (3.5 miles west) and Filching Manor And Motor Museum (1.2 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Combe Hill.
What we do, step by step
The visit usually starts outside and finishes in the loft: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. In total, it takes about one to two hours for most homes, depending on how many separate roofs there are. With a bit of garden around a house, as there often is around Lower Willingdon, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. Inside, the loft is checked where it can be reached safely.
- We help you choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- We arrive at the agreed time and talk through any concerns.
- We inspect and photograph every part of the roof we can safely see.
- Moisture detection, a structural check, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- The report is emailed with findings and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Let us know about parking near the property
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
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Questions from Lower Willingdon
How do I find out if my home in Lower Willingdon is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Lower Willingdon, take more of a battering?
Often, yes. Lower Willingdon is within about 4 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Can you tell me how long my roof will last?
Not as a figure. The report explains the condition of each part and the signs of wear, with recommendations ranked by urgency.
How do I arrange a roof survey in Lower Willingdon?
To book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and find a day that suits.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We can only inspect what we’re given access to.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years, across London and South East England.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys run on any day of the week. To find a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Towns and villages near Lower Willingdon
More services for Lower Willingdon
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roof coverings
Standing water, blisters and splits all point to wear. We also look at the edges, upstands and outlets, since leaks frequently start there.
Concrete interlocking tiles
Concrete interlocking tiles are common on post-war and newer homes. They’re heavy and hard-wearing, but their surfaces weather over the years, and they can crack.
Practical tips
You do not need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- File the report with your home documents
- Tell us about any leaks or stains you’ve seen
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Gather any paperwork for past roof work
File the report with your other home documents. It is a useful baseline for future surveys, and it can help when you sell.
Have the roof surveyed every few years, and after major storms. Regular checks catch problems while they’re small. Each report gives a record to compare against.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the addresses.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.